The state of your teeth affects your overall health and wellbeing. Poor oral health can affect someone's ability to eat, speak, smile and socialise, causing pain and embarrassment.
Oral health problems include:
- Gum (periodontal) disease
- Tooth decay (dental caries)
- Tooth loss
- Oral cancers.
A major cause of tooth decay is sugary foods and drinks, especially if you have them between meals. The longer the sugary food is in contact with teeth, the more damage it can cause. To learn more visit Sugar Smart.
How do I improve my oral health?
- Always brush your teeth right before bed and at least one other time during the day
- Use a toothpaste containing fluoride
- Brush, spit and don't rinse
- Limit your intake of sugary foods and drinks between meals
- Visit your dentist regularly.
Healthy Living Dentistry (HLD) Programme
The HLD Programme supports dental practices across Wigan borough to provide general health advice to patients, preventing the development of long term health conditions.
If you’re a dental team interested in joining the HLD programme, take a look at our prospectus.
Emergency dental care
- For emergency dental care and advice, call 0333 332 3800 from 8am - 10pm every day of the year.